Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Selecting Employment Clusters to Organize Regional Success, SECTORS, Act, which Senator Sherrod Brown and I are introducing. This legislation would amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to establish an industry or sector partnership grant program administered by the Department of Labor. The SECTORS Act provides grants to industry clusters--interrelated group of businesses, service providers, and associated institutions--in order to establish and expand sector partnerships. By providing financial assistance to these partnerships, this legislation would create customized workforce training solutions for specific industries at a regional level. A sector approach is beneficial because it can focus on the dual goals of promoting the long-term competitiveness of industries and advancing employment opportunities for workers, thereby encouraging economic growth. Existing sector partnerships have long been recognized as key strategic elements within some of the most successful economic development initiatives throughout the country. Unfortunately, current federal policy does not provide sufficient support for these critical ventures. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Task Force on Manufacturing, one of my key goals is to ensure that manufacturers have access to a capable workforce.…”